This chapter goes out to Marquerida, my 100th reviewer, and everyone who helped me get to that point! Thanks so much!
Also, if you get confused in this chapter, just remember two people with the initials of J and L.
I just agreed to have brunch with the Minister of Magic. The thought ran repeatedly through her head, a sick tormenting of her own insanity, as Tonks followed Cornelius Fudge through the labyrinth of halls that made of the Ministry to whatever little in-house restaurant was available. The employee cafeteria, she imagined. Wouldn't that be the dining experience to write home about. Not that it mattered either way to her. But judging by the way man was acting, she wouldn't be surprised.
Though apparently everyone else was. What did it look like to him, someone like her trailing after the most powerful man in the wizarding world of Britain? The stares she received were enough. Not that she minded them. That's right. She was with the Minister. She was the one forcing him to do random business he probably didn't want to do. And she was the one somehow roped into eating with him, despite the fact that she had agreed to the meal. So if they wanted to say one word…
She choked back a laugh, hoping no one could read that little semi-fantasy. Heck, she wasn't even being paranoid. But she couldn't laugh during this situation, especially when she had yet to see another victim of the Minister's sign prank. Nope. She just had to keep serious and remember her duty to the Order. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
The employee cafeteria was right ahead. Eh, it didn't look like too bad a place to eat.
The Minister even slowed down, preparing to enter. Did Fudge actually eat there?
"Oh, really?" he said softly, barely a whisper.
Tonks blinked. That wasn't directed at her, was it? "Excuse me?"
Fudge looked back at her, somewhat embarrassed. "Oh, just talking to myself."
Maybe the bloke was crazy. Even some stranger stared at him, allowing a semblance of disrespect into the atmosphere.
Then he just kept going, past the cafeteria.
Okay, what was up with that? "Excuse me, but we just passed—"
Fudge laughed. "Oh, the cafeteria. No, no, this is a proper business luncheon, and since it looks like we're going to be stuck together till this whole mess with the Dark Lord is sorted out, we might as well do things proper. You can't think that the great Ministry of Magic of Britain just as a measly cafeteria, you know."
She hadn't actually thought that, but if he wanted to act all high and mighty, well, he was the Minister.
"Now, this," he said, about two minutes and a dozen corners later, "Is where we'll be eating."
She raised an eyebrow, impressed. Not bad. Not bad at all. A dark red door, paned with shimmering glass, opened up into a small area that looked like it had been ripped from some charming little street corner. "I guess you do have things better than the cafeteria."
Fudge shrugged, smiling. "Nice, isn't it? I didn't even know about it my—"
"You didn't about something in your own building?"
A slight blush rose into his face. "Oh, of course I knew about it. I just haven't thought about it in quite some time. In fact, two of my… associates recently reminded me that I should show up and offer some patronage from time to time."
Tonks looked over her shoulder. They had passed the busy area of the Ministry, and the current hall was empty except for them and a couple of people already in the restaurant. But Fudge… had he been glaring at someone? Dang. Dumbledore really needed to know of the Minister's current state of mental health. Nah, she couldn't be too mean. The moron had finally gotten around to admitting Voldemort was back. Of course he was stressed and a little out of it.
Of course, that didn't explain all those things he had said to Percy.
She followed Fudge into the restaurant. It was even prettier inside, all fake countryish and that sort of thing. Just cute. Normally that wasn't her taste, but she hadn't eaten at a truly nice place since graduating from her auror training. "You know, Minister, you really don't need to treat me to all of this."
He waved her words away, shaking his head. "Nonsense. I'm feel terrible about the other day—no, make that the past several years. So I'm actually going to cooperate with your little Order of the Phoenix and even Albus Dumbledore. And since I understand you to be the go-between, we might as well get to know each other."
There was something very odd about the way he said that, but Tonks couldn't quite put her finger on it. Almost…familiar.
Maybe she was going crazy.
Without even waiting for the waiter, they made their way to a small table, just across from another group of frumped-up Ministry workers—probably Department heads.
"I figure if we sit this close, we'll make them uncomfortable," he said with a grin.
She grinned back. "Okay…"
Menus popped up from the table as they sat down. Oh, she hoped they wouldn't be in French or something. It didn't look like a French place, but who knew. Maybe she should just leave. She opened the menu. No, perfect and plain English. At least she wouldn't have to make the Minister translate anything for her. Like during a…
She shook her head. What in the world was she doing here? What was she even thinking? Just because Fudge had done something so outrageous she had to laugh didn't mean she had to be here. Forget "getting to know one another", this was going to be downright awkward! How was she supposed to discuss news over a meal with a guy she barely knew? And one that was this famous?
Now she was in a pickle. She sighed and put on her best fake smile. "So… what's good here?"
"I haven't the slightest idea," he mumbled.
"I thought you had—"
"They changed the menu recently, and I haven't tried it yet."
"Really?" She poured over the list. "At least it actually has a 'brunch' menu."
Fudge nodded gravely. "We should get something horribly expensive to make those people over there feel even more uncomfortable."
Tonks snuck a glance at the other table. They were trying very hard to send over their own discreet looks. They looked about ready to faint.
"They've…eggs. And stuff." Fudge was still looking at the menu. "There's this omelets that sounds pretty good."
Tonks almost giggled. Why was he talking this way? He sounded so… ordinary. Man, she was going to have some stories when this day was through. "Omelets are good. Are they expensive?"
"Expensive enough, if we get this fancy juice cocktail thing with it. And sandwiches. Yes, let's get a plate of sandwiches just for the heck of it." He put the menu down and looked around, rather confused, before calling the waiter over and proceeding to bark out the menu to the poor man.
A laugh escaped her in a horrible sort of snort. Thank goodness it was after the waiter had left.
"What's so funny?" Fudge asked, fiddling with his silverware.
"You." Was this respectful to say to the Minister? Too late, it was coming out. "I'm sorry, maybe it's just the fact that I've never really been around you. Playing pranks and then bossing people around."
Fudge turned a deep shade of red. "Well, I'm allowed to do that, and I doubt anyone's gong to say anything to me. I figure if I can get away with it…" He closed his eyes and swore under his breath.
Tonks stared.
"Damn, this is awkward. Well, yes, what I said. It's too hard to be in my position and not relax every now and then, you understand. And then there's the fact that I really don't know you all that well despite—" He coughed, an obvious attempt to end his thoughts.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He grabbed his glass of water and forced it down. Then he flinched, and drank more water. Then, he muttered something. A wonder he didn't choke. But what he said…
"Knock it off, Prongs?" Now she was very confused.
"Excuse me?"
"Isn't that just what you said?"
He stared at her, mind running behind his eyes. "No."
The man was either seriously ill or a heck of a lot more fun than she had imagined. "Oh." She forced a smile. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
"Sirius Black." A very strange look came over his face as he spoke. Almost like it was some sick joke, almost.
Sirius She almost choked herself. Why was he bringing up Sirius? He had no right to do that! But he didn't know anything about Sirius. So she just had to shut up and stay calm. "Why Sirius Black? That…" It was difficult to get the words out. "That murderer?"
"There haven't been any more sightings of him, not as many as I would have expected."
Of course not. Poor Sirius was dead. How dare he talk about him. "Perhaps he's just lying low. Besides, I think it should be your Ministry's duty to find him before he… rallies with other Death Eaters."
"We have the important Death Eaters in Azkaban," Fudge said stubbornly. "We just need Sirius."
"Then find him yourself." No, she couldn't get mad. She took a deep breath, concentrating on the pink strands of hair that had fallen into her eyes. "We… we don't believe Sirius Black to be a threat any longer." Why had she just said that? What was she trying to ruin? "We believe the Dark Lord would have already… sacrificed him or something for his cause." Oh crap. She had not just said that. Before she knew it her face was buried in her hands. What a way to make her lie obvious.
Fudge was silent for a moment. "Oh. I understand."
She peeked between her fingers. He looked sincere enough. "You do?"
"I trust the Order on this own. Though still, I wish you would take my advice. Perhaps you could pass on to Dumbledore a little message.
"What message?"
"I just think it would be wise if Dumbledore and the rest of the Order were a little more open to any news, even rumors, of Sirius Black sightings. Any at all could be helpful. Sirius murdered the Potters, you know." He gave the slightest roll of his eyes.
Tonks put her hands down. Had she sensed… sarcasm? No, no way.
"I also think Harry Potter should be open to that. After all, he's in the greatest danger, being that Sirius Black was his godfather."
If Tonks didn't know any better, she'd almost think the Minister was hinting at something. "So… that's your message?"
"Yes. Even if you think Sirius Black isn't a threat, keep half an eye open for any possibility. Any."
She gritted her teeth and nodded. "I'd love to." Sirius was dead. Nothing was going to change that. Why should they keep a lookout for him? But if pacified the Ministry…
Their food finally arrived. Omelets. Expensive omelets. She did like omelets. "These are my favorite food."
"I know."
She dropped her fork, which hadn't even made it into her omelet yet. "How did you know?"
He shrugged. "I guessed. You looked like an omelet person. So… I understand that you were actually related to Sirius Black."
Couldn't he stop bringing this up. "Yes. Second cousin of mine. Never really knew him all that well."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I guess it… I guess it surprised us all when he turned out to be… what he was." Great. Now he had her going. "He was always pretty nice to me, when I saw him, when we were growing up. I was just a kid when he… did what he did." It really had hurt, then. Hearing that Sirius had killed all those people. Even when she had learned the truth, it still had hurt so much. "It's amazing how people can surprise you that way."
Fudge sighed. "That's very true. Though I suppose… and this is hard coming from me, in my position. You can imagine how I feel about Black. I suppose he didn't do what he did to offend you personally."
She met his eyes, surprised. "I… guess you're right. I never thought about it that way before." 'Course she hadn't. Especially now that she knew Sirius was innocent, and he was dead anyway. "Thanks."
"So," Fudge continued. "Is Harry handling the news that Sirius is his godfather any better?"
More with Sirius. "He's… I don't think he really even thinks about it."
"Hmm. I suppose it gets in the way of things. Especially with all the things on the poor boy's shoulders. He's tough, amazing for handling the things he does."
That was it. Tonks had thought herself calm enough—up until that point. How could he say that about Harry? He couldn't just help spread all those horrible rumors and call him crazy, and then turn around and do this hardly a month later.
Fudge was waiting for her to reply.
No. She couldn't think that way. Fudge had been surprisingly open about Sirius. Perhaps he had his own reasons… if he was finally coming around, she had to accept that and help him. She couldn't…
She couldn't calm herself down in here. She smiled. "Could you excuse me for a minute?"
The hall outside was still despairingly bare. Well, that was good. Just a quick walk, and then she could return to her brunch.
This really was a secluded area of the building. Not a soul. It was creepy. Probably reserved for the higher authorities of the Ministry. Kind of nice, actually, to be sneaking around in this kind of place. If only…
An echo bounced off the wall in front of her, from around a corner.
Ah, so someone was around. She stopped, held her breath, and listened.
"I don't know why he didn't die," a woman was saying. She sounded older, the snotty kind. "It's a bloody miracle, you know. And not the kind that impress me."
"He could have missed, you know." A man, now. "Though it's hard to imagine. He said he saw the Minister fall. Of course, he Apparated right after that, so that doesn't mean anything. But"
"But you'd figure if Cornelius Fudge falls after being struck with the Killing Curse, it would mean he was dead. The Dark Lord already had the trouble of that Potter brat not dying, but at least there was a reason for that, odd as it may seem. But this… this I don't know what to make of it."
"Aspen, we really shouldn't be discussing this here. Just keep working with that house-elf of his. He should have poisoned him yesterday."
"No one cares what we discuss here, no one comes here." A sigh. "Look, just tell them that we will do our best to have Cornelius Fudge dead."
SHOUT OUTS!
xPussyWillowKittenx: You know.. you're on the right track with that thought!
rockstarhobbit: Thanks! I guess it is strange. The movies I based it on are psychotic.
milky way bar: Poor Sirius indeed.
meenyrocks: Ah, so now you are calling him mean names! Poor Percy.
Marquerida: Tonks might figure it out. )
Lady Meriadoc: Hey, Sirius has died, and before that, was locked up in prison. He needs a chance to finally have some fun.
Irish Lady Knight: Teehee. I'm not even sure what inspired the kick me signs. But I couldn't resist.
IamSiriusGrl: Thanks so much! Oh, yes. The "new and improved" Fudge will certainly scare people.
hydraspit: Nope, I have never stuck Percy quite in this position before. It feels strange to be mean to him. Because I do love him. But it's fun. And it works, because I never thought Sirius thought very highly of him anyway.
ArcherofDarkness and Callie: Actually, we don't know if Dumbledore believes him or not. Perhaps he was just acting like he didn't.
Aerinha: Well, I hoped in this chapter that Tonks did get somewhat confused by the whole thing. She's a smart girl.